Question reference: S6W-26344
- Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 21 March 2024
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Current status: Answered by Neil Gray on 16 April 2024
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what monitoring it undertakes of any third sector organisations that have been commissioned by NHS boards to provide health services.
Answer
Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) is the health body which undertakes assessments and reviews of the quality of care throughout Scotland, however third sector organisations are not captured by their current inspections of NHS services. Health Boards might arrange for treatment to be provided for patients by non-NHS Scotland providers in exceptional circumstances for clinical reasons however the responsibility for consultation, diagnosis and treatment of patients fully remains with the originating Health Board.
Independent Healthcare is regulated by HIS which consists of independent hospitals, private psychiatric hospitals, independent clinics and also voluntary hospices; some of which are commissioned to provide NHS services.